Heart, Brains, Courage, Small Firefighter and BFFS Vs Brain Tumor Fire

Chapter 3

Hot shot woke up bright and early on Monday morning. Today was his simulation session for his radiation therapy. It was to help plan his radiation therapy so it would be just right for him. It will help decide the type of radiation needed and how long he was going to need it. Hot shot was a little bit nervous and scared. "I'm a little scared," Hot shot said.

"That is completely normal," Quickshadow said. "Many kids are scared and nervous when they get ready to start treatment for cancer." She said. "But you need to remember that this treatment is to help you." She told him.

"Okay," Hot shot said. Hot shot was still wondering about radiation therapy. So he watched the video from the imaginary friend society about radiation. Hot shot learned many things about radiation therapy and its side effects. Hot shot felt a bit better after watching it.

After breakfast Hot shot was taken to the radiology department. Hot shot saw there were many kids there. This part of the radiology department was for radiation therapy. Hot shot saw his friends Hoist, Medix, Whirl, and Wedge there. "Hi," Hot shot said to them.

"Hi," they said back to him.

Hot shot met other kids in the radiology department. Hot shot met a boy named Caleb who was the same age as Hot shot. "I have a mask for my radiation treatment, because I have a tumor in my brain, mine is called anaplastic Ependymoma," Caleb said. "It helps me stay still for treatment, my radiation therapist painted it like Batman for me," he said.

"I am going to a mask too," Hot shot said. "I also have a brain tumor, mine is called Medulloblastoma Group 3," he said. "My doctor, Dr. Grete says I need the radiation treatment to my whole brain and my spine," he said.

"Well making the mask is a cool part of it," Caleb said.

"Does making the mask hurt?" Hot shot asked.

"No it doesn't hurt at all," Caleb said. "They warm the plastic in warm water to make it all soft, and then they stretch it over your face," he said.

"Oh," Hot shot said. 

Then a nurse came out. "Hot shot," the nurse said. It was now Hot shot's turn. Hot shot was a little bit nervous to say the least. But he was ready to be brave. Hot shot was taken back for his turn. "Hello Hot shot, I am Martin I am the mold room tech," Martin said. "Are you ready to make your mask?" he asked.

"I guess so," Hot shot said. He was a little nervous about it though.

"How about I show you what I am going to do?" Martin asked.

"Okay," Hot shot said.

Martin took Roxy and placed her on the table and took a special piece of plastic mask netting for toys. Then he dipped it in warm water and then took the plastic and stretched it over Roxy's face. Then after a few minutes he took it off. "There we are see, it looks just like your rhino," Martin said.

"Cool," Hot shot said. "I am ready," he said. Then he laid down on the table and held on the Roxy. Then Martin dipped the plastic into the warm water. Then he stretched it over Hot shot's face and buttoned in it down. It felt just like a warm wet towel. Hot shot stayed very still for it. Then a few minutes later Martin took the mask off. "There we go all finished." Martin said.

"It looks like me," Hot shot said.

"Yes it does," Martin said. "Would you like me to paint it for you so it will be more fun and enjoyable to wear during treatment?" he asked.

"Can you make it look like pikachu?" Hot shot asked.

"I sure can," Martin said.

"Cool," Hot shot said.